ILWU rejects offer by grain terminals

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Three companies operating grain export terminals in the Pacific Northwest said members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union rejected their last, best and final contract offer. United Grain, Columbia Grain and Louis Dreyfus said they were "disappointed" with the vote against the offer, which they said was "fair and reasonable." In light of the union’s rejection of the offer, the employers are reviewing their options. Regardless of the outcome, they remain committed to operating. The companies said in a statement that "bargaining has not been about wages and benefits. Under terms of the rejected proposal, the hourly wage for registered members will increase to a range of $34 to $36 with an ...